Profiling for health: the process and practice

Needs assessment and health needs profiling are a fundamental part of health care provision. Unless we know what the needs are, we cannot be sure that the services we provide are appropriate and acceptable. Without clear evidence of need, we cannot be able to justify what we do. We need valid outcome measures and hard data to support our arguments for new and innovative services - and for maintaining those we currently provide.

Health needs profiles are the tool with which health visitors and community nurses can achieve real change and better care for their clients and communities, by translating identified needs into services.

This publication offers guidance on the process of needs assessment and health needs profiling, using examples taken from current primary health care nursing and health visiting practice to illustrate its points.